Good deals take times and, man, is it hot out

So, Kyle Lowry.

Knew they’ve had interest for quite a while, know he’ll be a huge hit with Dwane Casey and I think some of you might need to give Bryan a bit of a break today.

He got a guy who can help, cost him basically nothing and he kept the pick in the last draft.

Not bad, eh?

But the most important thing, I think, was moving quickly. There was a whole lot of angst in the world yesterday morning – some of it quite over the top – and I can promise you that he heard it and knew what was going on around the league where it concerned the Raptors.

So he did what any good GM would do, he identified a possibility that had existed for some time, worked it hard and got it done.

Two points:

This is the kind of trade that appears to have come together quickly, like in a day, but that’s not the case. All those times we talk in February or training camp or early in season or at the end of the season about general managers having their requisite conversations and doing their due diligence are precisely for moments like yesterday.

The seeds of this deal were sewn a while ago, Toronto expressed an interest, wasn’t rebuffed and while nothing happened in March or around the draft, the groundwork was in place because some homework had been done.

For all those times when people wonder what GMs actually do, this is your answer. They do their work, chat, explore, propose, pull back, call again, chat some more and just because nothing goes on at the trade deadline doesn’t mean no work got done.

It’s how the business works and days like yesterday are the result. What looks “quick” is often the culmination of a lot of behind-the-scenes work.

Second?

I had at least a couple of people ask about the draft pick, at least one warning that even a protected first was significant because it could be “another piece.”

Yawn.

It won’t be the first overall pick ever, it might not be the second or even the third and consider this as one of the worst case scenarios.

Let’s say the Raptors miss the playoffs next year but are close and have, say, the 10th pick in the draft?

Do you think for a second the 10th pick in any draft is better than having Kyle Lowry under contract and with your team?

No, neither do I.

It’s a good trade at basically no cost.

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Read somewhere it’s Rocky’s birthday (the boxer, not the guy with the flying squirrel as a friend) and I’m wondering where the film (and I hated all the sequels so we’ll only deal with the original) ranks in the sports-flick genre?

I’d say low, too trite, a bit cliché, no?

Anyway …

Oh yeah, Rocky himself is tiny and those steps at the Philly museum of art aren’t nearly as imposing as you’d think.

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Some esoteric numbers stuff.

My rudimentary math was correct yesterday (I know! There’s a first time for everything) and, by including Gary Forbes in the Lowry deal, the Raptors do not have to use the amnesty clause on anyone to absorb both Lowry and Landry Fields.

Oh yeah, one other note:

About 10 seconds after the Lowry deal got out, I had e-mails or calls from about four guys wondering if the Raptors would have to use amnesty on Calderon to get the deal done because the teams they were connected with would surely be interested enough to put in a bid.

Isn’t going to happen, though; makes no sense at the moment.

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I’d say 70-80 per cent of the mail I got was a variation of “what the hell is Bryan going to do now” or “what would it take to get Kyle Lowry” or “how the hell can you tell people to stay calm and see what happens, you nincompoop” so …

Yeah, we need some legit questions to get us through the weekend me through the day so click, write, send.

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It’s not often you win a game on a walk-off passed ball but in wacky world of The Mighty Red Tigers, you take your dramatic 4-3 victories anyway you can get them.

Was good to be back in park, too; it’d been a week.

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Hey, whichever deity running things up there, can we get a break from this heat, please.

Supposed to be mid-30s here today, will feel hotter (like mid-30s isn’t bad enough) and, frankly, I’m not built for the heat.

And I’m wondering what the five worst jobs would be in this weather?

I’ve got, in no particular order and I’m glad I don’t have to do any other them:

Roofer

Yeah, those black shingles and heat beating down on you must be a dream gig.

Drycleaner

There’s one across the street from our office and when I walk by on days like today and the back door’s open, it’s like a blast furnace.

Paver

Yeah, I’d LUV to be working on a driveway today.

Pizza chef

Those ovens get a tad hot, don’t they?

And the absolute worst?

Tobacco picker

Not sure if they even have them around these parts any more and I’m not entirely sure this is the season but way back in my mis-spent youth, I worked in the heart of southwestern Ontario’s then-thriving tobacco industry and because I’m a dolt – or because I lost a bet, I’m not sure – volunteered to do it one day just to see what it was like.

Never. Again. Ever.

(This was after I figured out the difference between tobacco and corn and it took me a day or two; farming ain’t my gig).

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A related heat note:

Super Son began summer school this week, trying to make thing easier on himself next semester and he’s supposed to go 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

First day, call comes about noon and he’s done and we’re wondering why? Did he get thrown out already? Did he learn everything in 2 1-2 hours?

Nope.

Too hot.

Guess they don’t air condition schools because no one’s there in the summer and they shut things down early because it was too uncomfortable.

Probably no reason for him to go at all today, right?

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Sorry for the digressions but we’ve been far, far too serious here of late.

But here’s a basketball question for your consideration:

In a world where Brandon Roy gets a $10 million deal in Minnesota and Jeremy Lin gets almost $30 million off 25 starts and 309-year-old Jason Kidd could get about $10 million, is the Landry Fields offer sheet totally out of whack?

Not a chance.

Speaking off Kidd ….

Ring, ring, ring

(That’s the sound of a telephone ringing)

“Hello?”

“Jason? Jason Kidd? You there?”

“I am, just left the Mavs facility, going to go sign a new deal.”

“This is John Salmons. Don’t do it. You don’t have to.”

“Hmm. Okay. Gotta run, gotta find Glen Grunwald’s number.”

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Comments

[Andrew]

A little disappointed not to see 120 comments about the Regend being traded from the Clippers to the Nets. ;)

[jsmut]

"Do you think for a second the 10th pick in any draft is better than having Kyle Lowry under contract and with your team?"

Hey Doug, isn't that what you (and Colangelo) said about Jermaine O'Neal? Oops.

Blogger's note: Yep, guess we did. Gimme a second to find one that people were right on. But you don't care about those, right? Yawn.

[Canadian Paul]

Doug, since this is a trade and not a free-agent signing, the Raptors can technically comment on the trade or even have a press conference to present Lowry, Right?

Blogger's note: Nope, not 'til the 11th

[Brad B.]

So Doug, how much money do the Raptors have left to get a 3 if they didn't want to trade? Is there anyone left worth getting to fill that position among this year's remaining Free Agents? I feel that the Raptors should stand pat for this year and see how the players develop. If they make the playoffs this season and are seen as an up-and-coming team, they'll likely get more interest from desirable FAs at this time next year.

[gdr]

Doug, any chance you'd let us know which teams inquired about Jose? I doubt you will, but I thought I would ask. In your opinion, are the Raps done for the offseason, or is BC still working on another trade? Cheers.

Blogger's note: If I can confirm, probably; but that's not easy; and they're still working, as they always are

[John]

Doug, you hated ALL the Rocky sequels? Rabble! RabbleRabble! Basketball related, hoping BC is gonna completely change gears and go all defense all the time. A little '04 Pistons action? Can't see how Bargnani is gonna fit in that; you don't favor trading him though, right?
Which FA do you think would be best for Casey's defensive scheme? Seems like AK47 wouldn't be the greatest fit (doesn't seem to always try...).

[Scott T.]

So the Raptors can't/won't back out of the Fields deal but what if Landry Fields pulls a John Salmons? :)

[nasko]

@Zumbul, Why do you think that is funny?

[Bill]

I am still confused how trading a future pick for Lowry is better than trading this year's pick for Lowry, given that Ross was taken as a fall back because the three guys the Raptors had in mind were gone by 8th. Seems counter-intuitive since Ross was not someone who they really wanted and a future first round pick at least provide a chance of their choice of the crop. But I guess all that is just a guess now until we see who actually becomes the future pick and how his career is matched up against Ross's in a decade.

Any chance we trade Jose for Tyson Chandler? I keed I keed...

[Ryan]

Hi Doug, I was just wanting to know what have scouts been saying about Valenciunas in regards to if he has improved (or improved to expectations) over his extra year in Europe and any word on what the plan is in terms of him starting right away? Has he had any practices with the team yet?

Blogger's note: He's older, more experienced and still has not even seen an NBA practice let alone been in one

[Michel G]

Hey Doug. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. I primed Tobacco for one summer in the late 70s. There was a disease affecting the crops that year, Blue Mole I think, and our farmer had us work 32-33 days in a row to get as much of the crop in. Not quite sure if that was legal even back then, but he gave us a nice bonus at the end of the run. I didn't go back the next year though. I had my fill of the tobacco fields. :)

Blogger's note: Believe it might have been "blue mould"

[Richie]

Doug, Rocky was the Flying Squirrel; Bullwinkle the Moose was the friend. The greatest cartoon ever. I consider The Simpsons the best animated show ever and Rocky and Bullwinkle the best cartoon-a real classic set in that wonderful town of Frostbite Falls, Minnesota

Blogger's note: Wow, how'd I screw that up! Boris and Natasha would be shocked

[Tabber]

@nasko, because he does, it's a reflection of him, not you, he's just showing what kind of person he is.

[Daniel]

Hi doug, I know the raptors verbally agreed with Fields so it is not yet official and since they did to lure Nash and he went elsewhere , can they simply tell Fields they are not intrested anymore ? or would that sens a bad message to future free agents ?

[Allan Falconer]

Polite Request: Please return/re-establish/create a "Doug Smith Sports Blog" icon or easy access from either/or/all of The Star front page, Sports Home page, or at least "Basketball" main page. Seems to have gone AOL, annoyingly difficult to go there now for my, and I am sure many other's, morning read.

Thank you for your help in this matter.

Blogger's note: Been passed on to Tall Foreheads

[LeeZ]

"So the Raptors can't/won't back out of the Fields deal but what if Landry Fields pulls a John Salmons? :)"

Well, it's like I said the other day. Both Salmons and Fields are devout born again Christians, and indeed, Salmons even invoked the Lord when he broke his word and backed out (something about God not wanting him in Toronto), so if Fields breaks his word as well, we'll have one HUMDINGER of an anti-Raps conspiracy theory, perhaps the greatest one yet: even God himself doesn't want the Raps to win!!!

[SY]

I think there is probably one more move coming b4 July 11 since we now have close to 54.5 million in cap holds (after the Lowry trade and even if Sonny is off the books <- assuming Memphis is going to give him an offer)....with an estimate Cap for 2012-13 close to the past year at around 58 - 59.....we are still off by 1 - 2 million (of course if somehow the new cap end up to be 60 then we probably don't need to do anything). :)

[Scott T.]

I re-read this and I still find it very dismissive to say the Raptors barely gave up anything. If we are here a little less than a year from now on the night of the draft and the Raptors gave Houston the 4th, 5th, 6th or 7th pick for Kyle Lowry there's going to be more than a few people upset. I've learned to expect worst-case scenarios when following my Raptors and hope against hope for the best.

Blogger's note: Okay, see ya in a year

[james]

Amidst all the point guard excitement yesterday, I neglected to thank you for acknowledging of the passing of Ben Davidson, late of the Oakland Raiders and now late of the planet Earth. It is impossible to forget his work, unjustly overlooked by the Academy in my view, in John Milius’ trenchant 1982 social satire of all things Californian, “Conan the Barbarian”. While the film is perhaps best remembered for introducing the future Governor of California to his future electors by moving him beyond his body-building subculture, it was Big Ben’s sensitive portrayal as the High Priest, Rexor that really tied the story together. Delivering such memorable lines as “Kill them!”, he held his own against heavyweight thespians James Earl Jones, Max von Sydow and Sandahl (“Do you want to live forever?”) Bergman, and it was a small travesty that he missed out on that year’s Best Supporting Actor prize. RIP Ben indeed!

[Dennis]

This quote from Steve Nash tells you all you need to know about his decision to join the Lakers:

"I hate to upset people but my little boy and my two girls mean everything to me, and the opportunity to be able to see them three or four times a month instead of three or four times a season is incredible and priceless. I'm sorry for those that I upset, but my kids come first."

Can't fault a man for choosing his kids. He obviously made the right choice.

[Lorie]

Ha! Thought the use of "sewn" versus "sown" was to further illustrate his unsuitability for a farming vocation. So, how's your running stitch these days, Doug? And speaking of "Rocky" I know a girl who sometimes wishes she had a loonie for everytime someone saw her on the street and yelled "Adrian!" and who also sometimes wishes her mother had named her something else. Sorry, Kiddo. In my day it was "Stella!!!" Which reminds me. Looks like the sun's over the yardarm. Well, close enough. Cheers! Keep cool, all. And with all the basketball stuff around here yesterday (120 comments!!!) we missed an auspicious birthday - Happy Belated Birthday, Huey!
http://youtu.be/N6uEMOeDZsA

[Rob.V]

Here's a question. Teams under the cap get first crack at amnestied players. If the Raps lets say were interested in Elton Brand on the 11th, are they technically considered "under" the cap if they have not completed the signing of their deal with Fields?

Blogger's note: Good question, I don't have an answer; moot, though, there's no interest

[Tudor]

To follow up on my previous question, if Jose is a good citizen and accepts to come off the bench (he always seem to say and do the "right" things), wouldn't you like to have Lowry/Calderon at PG? (Since, unless they can find a SF for 10+ mills, salary cap is not an issue). They can play him and if the season goes wrong, trade him while getting some value back.

Blogger's note: Yes, I would

[larry lukeeborg]

i had the joy of priming tobacco for 6 consecutive summers....definitely a job for the young...i did one day several years after the 6 consecutive, when i was 27...my body ached for three days afterward.

[sam]

In Lowry we now have the PG of the future, and perhaps a point guard controversy to take us through the 2012/13 season -

A few things that have popped up over the last few days - Reading Stats from the past couple of years isn't always the best way to measure a players performance. There are some who believe that the HOTH threw money away with thier verbal agreement to Fields - calling into question his skills and talents - The simple truth is: the majority of us just don't know what he's got.
The same can be said about Terrence Ross - Some folks think it was a wasted pick - But again, the majority of us just don't know.
Fields - didn't seem out of place on the Knicks when they played the Raptors - but the sample size I'm working with is rather small -
It's not always black or white. . . The grey area is where it gets interesting....Can a certain player play up to thier potential and grow into thier role? I'm thinking - Fields and T Ross may surprize -